Intellectual Property Law

Federal Circuit to consider overruling State Street en banc

By McKee, Voorhees & Sease, P.L.C.

The Federal Circuit has, on its own motion, decided to hear a case en banc regarding the scope of patentable subject matter under § 101.  The case, In re Bilski (No. 2007-1130), was argued before a panel of the court on October 1, 2007, and deals with the patentability of methods that involve only mental steps.   Most interestingly, however, is that in the court's decision to hear the case en banc, the court asked the parties to brief the question:

Whether it is appropriate to reconsider State Street Bank & Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, Inc., 149 F.3d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 1998), and AT&T Corp. v. Excel Communications, Inc., 172 F.3d 1352 (Fed. Cir. 1999), in this case and, if so, whether those cases should be overruled in any respect? 

Given that the court may reconsider State Street, this case could potentially result in a major shift in the scope of patentable subject matter.  This decision comes on the heels of the court's decision earlier this week not to rehear In re Nuijten en banc, another case involving the scope of patentable subject matter.  The petition to rehear that case en banc was supported by several amici.

To read the full order, click here.  Patently-O has a good description of the BPAI's "informative" decision that is on appeal here.  Click below for the full list of questions presented for en banc review.

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Full post as published by FileWrapper on February 15, 2008 (boomark / email).